Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to be the Chief Guest at the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on October 1, 2025. The event will take place at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
As part of the celebrations, PM Modi will unveil a specially designed commemorative postage stamp and coin that underscore the RSS’s contributions to the nation. An official statement confirmed that he will address the audience during the event.
Established in 1925 in Nagpur by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS aims to foster cultural awareness, discipline, and social responsibility among citizens. The organization serves as the ideological foundation for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the Indian government.
The statement noted that the RSS represents “a unique people-nurtured movement for national reconstruction,” suggesting that its growth is a response to centuries of foreign rule. It emphasized the organization’s vision of India’s national glory, rooted in Dharm.
The centenary celebrations will honor the historical achievements of the RSS and also spotlight its ongoing contributions to India’s cultural landscape and message of national unity. It emphasizes patriotism and the formation of national character.
The RSS strives to instill devotion to the motherland, discipline, self-restraint, courage, and heroism among its members. Its ultimate goal, as outlined by the organization, is “Sarvangeena Unnati” (all-round development) of India, a commitment to which every Swayamsevak dedicates themselves.
Over the past century, the RSS has significantly impacted various sectors including education, health, and social welfare. Its volunteers have actively participated in disaster relief efforts during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones.
Various affiliated organizations of the RSS have also worked towards empowering youth, women, and farmers, enhancing public participation, and strengthening local communities. The centenary celebrations will thus not only honor historical milestones but also emphasize the organization’s enduring role in India’s cultural journey.
Narendra Modi, who began his career as an RSS pracharak (campaigner) before transitioning to the BJP, has acknowledged the profound influence of the RSS on his life. In a recent podcast with Lex Fridman, Modi remarked that the teachings of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda, and the RSS’s service-oriented philosophy have been instrumental in shaping his perspective.
On March 30, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, where he paid tribute at the memorial of the RSS founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during this visit.
